Michigan State University
California, Ball State
Gymnastics Tops Ball State and Cal on Senior Day
3/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 8, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The 2009 Michigan State gymnastics team sent its seniors off in style by winning its final home meet of the season with a 195.050, its second-highest score of the year, defeating both Ball State and Cal Sunday afternoon at Jenison Field House. Ball State finished in second with a score of 191.825 while Cal finished third with a 190.725. The Spartans were paced by a season-high 49.175 on the floor and an all-round title from senior Katlyn Roggensack (Wheaton, Ill.), in her final home meet as a Spartan.
"I was a little disappointed in our performance on beam, especially after our performance on beam Friday night, but I was thrilled with how we did on the other three events," head coach Kathie Klages said. "Hopefully we can put it all together when it counts coming up at the end of the month."
"Katlyn (Roggensack) and Dani (Fanning) are two very special young women and they have really helped us in developing this program," Klages added. "I thought they had a little bit of trouble handling the emotions and pressure of senior night, but they really helped us put up great routines on floor and they really helped us finish the meet strong."
The Spartans, following the traditional rotation style, opened the meet on the vault, posting a 49.000 to give them an early lead over both Cal and Ball State. Junior Rochelle Robinson (Chesapeake, Va.) led MSU by posting a 9.875. Each competitor in the Spartan lineup posted a score of 9.725 or better, helping the Spartans fall just shy of their season-high in the event, which currently stands at 49.025. Sophomore Nicole Argiros (Livonia, Mich.) tallied a 9.825 on the event and senior Katlyn Roggensack (Wheaton, Ill.) posted a 9.800 in her final vault in front of the hometown fans. Ball State posted a 48.350 on beam in the first rotation while Cal finished with a 46.975 on bars.
Looking to add to its advantage, MSU took to the uneven bars in the second rotation. Robinson once again led the way for the Spartans on the event, posting a 9.850, helping MSU score a 48.775. Junior Nicole Curler (Bay City, Mich.) posted a 9.800 on bars while Roggensack added a 9.725 to help the Spartans extend their lead over Ball State and Cal. Through two rotations, the Spartans tallied a running score of 97.775, leading Ball State and Cal who posted scores of 96.275 and 94.475, respectively.
The Spartans struggled on the balance beam in the third rotation, posting a 48.100 after having to count two falls in the event. Kelsey Morley (Elkhart, Ind.) continued to post big scores on beam, tallying a 9.900 to pace the Spartans. Junior Emily Lopatofsky (Waymart, Pa.) notched a 9.800 while Kathryn Mahoney (Western Springs, Ill.) tallied a 9.775 to round out the top three finishers for MSU. Through three events, the Spartans posted a running score of 145.875, giving them a big lead heading to the floor exercise.
MSU saved its best performance for the final rotation, as the team seemed to rally around its two seniors, posting a season-high 49.175 on floor. Senior Dani Fanning (Glendale, Ariz.) started the Spartans by posting a 9.850 in the lead-off spot. Each Spartan that scored in the rotation posted a score of 9.800 or better, highlighted by Mahoney who tallied a career-high 9.925 on the event. Roggensack pitched in a score of 9.800 while Curler added a 9.850.
MSU honored its two seniors, Roggensack and Fanning, after the meet during the senior day festivities. The Spartans will return to action next Sunday as they will travel to New Hampshire for their final regular season meet of the year.
Players Mentioned
